A journey into Afrikan Design Culture, with Ralitsa Diana Debrah

Design is for change, let’s join forces, stealing the words of the song made for Open Design Afrika. This past Friday we kicked off “Sparks of Innovation”, the 2024 edition of the Service Design Masterclasses, with the warmth and energy of Ralitsa Diana Debrah, who has over a decade of experience in consulting both locally and internationally, besides being a lecturer & learning experience designer.

Africa is a deep catalyst for transformative services and social innovation, therefore the class, and all external participants, explored the vibrant tapestry of creativity embedded in Afrikan traditions, weaving a narrative that embraces from aesthetics to the profound philosophy of Ubuntu, which has been the guiding light of our exploration. The Afrikan humanist philosophy of Ubuntu states ‘I am because you are’ and ‘I participate, therefore I am’. This emphasizes “We” – focusing on the interdependence and connectedness of all people and the importance of participation in shaping our world. Through this lens, the masterclass aimed to illuminate not only the design aesthetics but also the profound impact of Afrikan cultures as a driving force for positive change in the world.

Our travelers were divided into smaller groups, Shape, Synergize, Stimulate, Sustain & Strategize, and they were sent to different areas in Africa (Kenya, South Africa, Namibia, Ghana) to reason and discuss specific prompt, that required working on a new service or product inspired by Afrikan design principles, or, reasoning about how Afrikan design approaches can enhance user experience and inclusivity in service design, or again, incorporating Afrikan design aesthetics and values into global service design frameworks and others stimulating topics.

This event infused participants with a shared humanity and interconnectedness that transcends traditional boundaries. They have understood how the unique blend of cultural richness and human experience contributes to the authenticity and inspiration of innovative solutions. What’s more, they uncovered how this seamless integration sparks creativity and becomes a driving force behind groundbreaking service innovations. Finally, they learned how Nature, as a ‘stakeholder of our projects’, is the basis of the community-centered design principles. It is deeply rooted in Afrikan cultures and it can lead to more meaningful and impactful service innovations that address the real needs and aspirations of the people. Afrikan design can contribute to global conversations on innovation, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future.

We look forward to seeing you at the second event, end of March.
Stay tuned!